TEACHER DISCLAIMER: The purpose of this blog is to be a fun way for friends and family of the Monhegan School to stay up-to-date with all of our events and activities. I am often writing this blog in between teaching subjects, making copies, or planning for multiple grades. I sometimes may forget to cross my t's or dot my i's but I would hope people understand this is in no way a formal document and/or a representation of the teaching that happens at school. Thanks and enjoy!

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Native American Poem

We have wrapped up our Native American social studies unit last week and I was really happy with the boys final writing pieces they turned in for their final assessment. They were to write three different writing pieces written from three different Native American's perspectives. The first piece they were to write from the perspective of a Native living in Maine before European contact. The second piece was to be written from the perspective of a Native American during European settlement. The last piece was to be written from the perspective of a current day Native American living in Maine.

Quinn wrote three very strong pieces of writing that were like journal entries (they are a bit too long for the blog.) I have been so impressed this year by how much he has grown as a writer. He really enjoyed writing from the perspective of Native Americans because "they love nature and animals just like me."

Dalton went about his writing assignment a different way. He wrote a three part poem telling the perspectives of the Native Americans living in Maine with a bit of a twist. I know I may be biased but I think it is just awesome.

See what you think....

Story Through Time

By D. Burroughs

His voice started strong and proud

“I watch from my village as snow and Ice melt away

For the thirteenth time of my life

My first hunt begins today

As with my ceremony tonight

I go with my father to hunt the drowsy moose

I go with my father to hunt the tired deer

I go with my father to gather springs first berries

I go with my father to catch the river fish

Everything smells different

Everything sounds different

Everything feels different

Tonight I become a man

Tomorrow we’ll go to the Ocean

In our birch bark canoes

We will travel

Down the Penawahpsewi

To our summer island

That offers us shelter

Offers us fish

Offers us a place of serenity

A place away from the winter struggle

A place where we accept natures gift

A place where spring has come

A place where we give back natures gift.”

His voice got deep and sad as he continued,

“The first was Giovanni da VerrazzanoWhen he came into the Penawahpsewi baySeeking Norumbega

They came from the sea on floating islandsWith trees straight and stillWith leaves stained white as bone

They wanted to trade and make peace with our tribesBut they thought of us as savages

My tribe has fallen into their deadly warsMy tribe has fallen into their numbing drinksMy tribe has fallen into their corruptionLeaving behind us, our culture, and the land

For the white aliens

We try to adapt to the white mans worldThough they reject us for what we are

I don’t understand their lust for landOr their distant kings and queens

I am but one of the few who has kept my cultureFor the rest want the life of a white man

I am barley a manBut I know that the white men bring destruction and imbalanceSo I have kept my culture.”

He sighed as he continued the last part of the story,

“Our people have melted into modern society

Into modern currency

Into modern government

Our Horses have become cars

Wigwams are houses

Food comes from boxes

We’ve been put on this reservation

But we make the best of it

We are poor with money

Rich with culture

Poor in the eyes of society

Rich with each other

They discriminate us in schools

Because of our heritage

Our skin

Our culture

The United States of America

Gave us land to live on and be together

The land is not ours or theirs

Land is land and will always be land

Even our beliefs are put to a test by science

The moon and sun are not sacred anymore

just one more moon and sun in the galaxy, the universe

Ideas are now to big for mind to imagine

Life is not simple anymore

I end with telling you what is important

Having each other, our culture and our respect for the land”

He ended the story, with a smile full of warmth and comfort, with the bitter sweetness recognition for what we have been put through, yet we are still here.